watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg How to pronounce watchdog (audio)
ˈwȯch-
1
: a dog kept to guard property
2
: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or undesirable practices

watchdog

2 of 2

verb

watchdogged; watchdogging; watchdogs

transitive verb

: to act as a watchdog for

Examples of watchdog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Wilcox said her removal, which left the labor watchdog without a necessary quorum required by law, puts workers' rights at risk and takes away a resource to resolve labor disputes. Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2025 Zoom in: If unconstrained, the state's demand for power could double within the next 10 years, according to a report out late last year from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the state's watchdog group. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025 The American Accountability Foundation (AAF) is a conservative watchdog group. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 The watchdog group has been a linchpin of the U.S.-led Inter-American system since the 1950s and depends primarily on contributions from Washington, where it is based. Joshua Goodman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for watchdog 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchdog was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near watchdog

Cite this Entry

“Watchdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchdog. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

watchdog

noun
watch·​dog
ˈwäch-ˌdȯg,
ˈwȯch-
1
: a dog kept to guard property
2
: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or dishonesty
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!